Supersonic stories: SR-71 Blackbird veterans visit RAF Mildenhall

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt (ret.) Robert Butterfield, center, former SR-71 Blackbird crew chief; his guest, Wade Vaughn, left, and Maj. (ret.) Robert Rieser, former SR-71 intelligence officer, pose for a photo at RAF Mildenhall, England, July 27, 2026. The SR-71 veterans, along with their families and members of the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre, received mission briefings and a tour of the base. The Blackbird was assigned to Detachment 4, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, attached to RAF Mildenhall from 1976 to 1990, and 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of its arrival here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

PHOTO BY: Karen Abeyasekere
VIRIN: 260727-F-EJ686-1195.JPG
FULL SIZE: 3.59 MB
Additional Details

CAMERA

NIKON Z 7_2

LENS

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

APERTURE

280/100

SHUTTERSPEED

10/200

ISO

250

IMAGE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN

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This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dma.mil/Services/Visual-Information/References/Limitations/, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.

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